Page 212 of Split or Swallow

Tem shot him a look. She was sure he knew what she meant, but had avoided the truth on purpose. Tem clarified anyway:

“When the prince chooses who will move into the castle.”

“He will choose you.”

The question he answered was not the question she had asked. Tem felt a twinge of annoyance at his evasion.

“How can you be sure?”

Caspen smiled sadly.

“Because you are perfect.”

“If I am perfect, it’s because you made me that way.”

Caspen cupped her chin gently in his hand, looking her in the eye as he said:

“You were already perfect.”

They were beautiful words. But Tem would not be seduced by them.

“Answer the question. What will happen to us?”

Caspen sat up. Tem sat up too, her hand on the great slope of his shoulder, their lips inches apart. When she studied his face, she couldn’t help but compare it to Bastian’s. She could see how Caspen would eventually age—where his cheekbones would sharpen and his hair would tint with silver.

“I do not know what will happen,” he said finally. “My quiver must accept you first. If they do, we can discuss what comes next.”

“I want to discuss it now.”

Caspen stood, crossing to the fireplace. Tem remained on the bed, watching him as he stared into the flames. The muscles in his back rolled as he crossed his arms.

He turned to face her.

“When the prince chooses you, you will move into the castle with the final two girls.”

“What?”

Tem had expected him to fight for her—to insist that she drop out of the competition.

His eyes held hers as he continued:

“You will go to the castle and you will stay there until the prince decides to marry you.”

“But why?”

He turned back to the fire. Tem stood, crossing to him.

“Why did you make me go through the ritual if you have no intention of being with me?”

“I have every intention of being with you, Tem. But my world is dangerous.”

“That’s always been the case.”

“Tem,” his voice dropped. “I am dangerous.”

The ritual had been traumatic for Tem. But it occurred to her suddenly that it might have been just as traumatic for Caspen. He was the one who had to look at her shattered body and know he was the one who broke her.

She touched his arm.